Bitter lemon ?

[SASA39]

Has anyone tried that as an HIV supressor food , or heard anything about it ?
Is it a quack or good............?
                                          Al

[Matty the Damned]

Al,

The only "bitter lemon" (other than Rosie O'Donnell) that Matty the Damned is familiar with is a soft-drink which he mixes with his breakfast vodka. The drink contains quinine as a bittering agent which is used as a therapeutic agent against malaria. As far as I know quinine has no impact on HIV infection.

However I suspect you may be referring to a citrus fruit of some description, in which case I know even less.

MtD

[Merlin]

I believe the vegetable in question is actually called, "Bitter Melon" or "Bitter Gourd." There is a pretty elaborate write up on Aidsmap. Check out the link:

http://www.nam.org.uk/cms1032289.asp

[Miss Philicia]

I vaguely recall a bitter melon experience during halcyon days of herbal insanity in the early 90's.  Of course, I was taking so many different things there's not way to know what was going what, or if they were doing anything, or if it was just my fabulous dual therapy AZT and Videx.

[risred1]

from the newyorkbuyersclub.org supplement fact sheets.

Best effect is as a enema. Which, depending on your view on life, might be...interesting?

Bitter Melon (also Momordica charantia)     

Bitter Melon
(Momordica charantia)
DESCRIPTION:    Plant extract / Chinese herb

Bitter Melon has a long tradition of use and data showing an effect on regulating blood sugar levels.

Antiviral effects from fruits, seeds, leaves and vines using hot water or alcohol extracts have been seen in vitro.

The fruit and leaves of the Bitter Melon plant are most often used. It is widely grown in South Asia, India, Southeast Asia, China, the Caribbean, and Africa.

The tough part about this product is that the best way to use it is as a retention enema. That’s right: you prepare the tea and then fill your guts via your butt and hold it until it is absorbed. This works; the oral use isn’t as effective, apparently. Is this a pain in the ass, so to speak? It can be difficult, time-consuming and not entirely comfortable. For a minority of people, this treatment does seem to help improve CD4 counts. This may be due in part to the difficuty of administering it as an enema on a routine basis. The capsules offer an alternative. However, for many, whether taken as a tea, enema or in capsules, it does not appear to have a strong benefit when used alone. Clinical studies of combinations of botanicals with anti-HIV activity are desperately needed.

FUNCTION:    Test tube studies have shown antiviral and immune modulating effects.
DOSAGE:    Will vary by product.
DATA:    While studies have been conducted on Bitter Melon's use in the treatment of diabetes, HIV, and cancer, more research is needed.
CAUTIONS:    Do not use during pregnancy.
FOR MORE
INFORMATION:    IntelliHealth (A site sponsored by Aetna - but featuring Harvard Medical School data).
      
RELATED
PRODUCTS:    Bitter Melon (Tai He Company) Each bottle, 100 capsules. Each capsule, 500 mg.
PRODUCT NOTES:    Tai He's formula is highly concentrated to maximize the presence of all three active proteins. Suggested dose: take 2–10 capsules per day; the best bet is probably 5 in the morning, 5 in the evening on an empty stomach.
DISCLAIMER:    These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

[bear60]

Oh my god!  You guys are something else.  I havent had such a good chuckle in months. Just picturing SASA holding in an enema of bitter melon and the face turning red and his wife saying:  " ONly 3 more minutes!!"  oh my god.

[frenchpat]

Hi,

you can buy Bitter Melon Tea, supposedly good for the liver, helpful for digestion and diuretic. The brand I have is from Vietnam and comes under the name Tra Khô Qua (Gohyah Tea). Very cheap, around 1,15 euro for 80g.
Personally I drink it because I like the taste. I also cook the vegetable with eggs kind of scrambled (with soy sauce) , a recipe from the Philippines (Ampalaya chaka itlog) or in a broth which is more of the Thai way to eat it (Mara).

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n230/frenchpat/bitter_melon.jpg

I can't see the point in sticking any amount of Bitter Melon up one's arse, unless you try the whole vegetable perhaps , but you better be into xxl stuff if you do...

Pat

[Merlin]

Try juicing it. Add some apple juice with it to mask the bitter taste.